Courtesy of Leigh Johnston

DIRECTIONS 1.

WINTER SQUASH SOUP

Preheat oven to 425˚F. Line two rimmed baking sheets with parchment. 2. Combine cider vinegar, sugar and a pinch of salt in a small sauce pan and simmer until reduced by half. Set aside. 3. Toss cubed squash with 2 Tbs olive oil, spread on the prepared baking sheets, season with salt and pepper and roast until edges are caramelized, about 30 minutes. 4. While squash is roasting, preheat a heavy bottomed pot over medium heat. Adjust to medium low and add 2 Tbs olive oil and onion. Sauté and allow onion to “melt” over low heat, about 5-8 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add spices and stir to coat. Add carrot and celery, raise heat to medium and sauté until sweating, then add apple and cook until fragrant and slightly tender. 5. Add squash to pot, stir to combine and add vegetable stock. Bring to a simmer. 6. Working in batches, purée mixture in a blender until creamy and smooth. Be careful while blending hot ingredients. 7. Return soup to pot and bring to a simmer. Add cider vinegar reduction, stir to combine. Adjust salt and pepper to suit taste. Serve and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS • 2 lbs butternut or other seasonal squash, peeled, seeds removed and cubed • 4 Tbs olive oil • ½ cup cider vinegar • 1 Tbs sugar • 1 medium onion, chopped • 2 stalks celery, chopped • 1 medium carrot, chopped • 2 apples, core removed and chopped

• 3 tsp ground ginger • ½ tsp cinnamon • ¼ tsp five spice powder • ¼ tsp (scant) ground nutmeg • 2-32 oz containers vegetable stock • Kosher Sea Salt • Fresh ground pepper • Crusty Bread- toasted for serving

Courtesy of Feedtheswimmers.com

WINTER JOKES What kind of ball doesn’t bounce? A snowball. How does a snowman get to work? By icicle. Which side of a polar bear has the most fur? The outside. Why do birds fly south for the winter? Because it’s too far to walk. Why do programmers love winter? Because there are no bugs...

One kind word can warm three winter months.

- Japanese Proverb

When you’re thinking of how long winter seems to be, remember this Japanese Proverb and share some kindness with a friend, loved one, neighbour or stranger. It won’t cost you anything and will make both you and the recipient feel warm.

ENHANCE YOUR CURB APPEAL

When your home is on the market, the first impression the buyer is going to have is from your online photos. Probably the first photo will be of the exterior of your home. If you want to have potential buyers click through to read the full listing and see the rest of the home in person, you’re going to need to make sure your photo shows your home in its best light. Curb appeal is extremely important year-round. And even though there is the potential for a foot of snow to cover everything, enhance the curb appeal of your home with a few small changes. In all photos and whenever possible before showings, clear the driveway or sidewalk of snow and ice. Keeping these areas maintained is not only safest, but it is sure to leave a positive impression on anyone viewing your property. You’ll also want to look over the yard and remove any foliage debris that didn’t get taken care of in the fall. Broken branches, unruly weeds, piles of leaves should be removed as the yard will look better and show you care for your home and property which buyers will appreciate. Another way to add care and warmth to your home is by creating adequate lighting along pathways, doors and around the yard. The more a buyer can see, the better they can visualize themselves in the space in the warmer months. Finally, little things like updating the house numbers, having limited seasonal décor on the porch and investing in a sturdy and tasteful welcome mat will not necessarily be seen in photos, but will leave viewers smiling when they step onto your porch.

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